Sandostatin (Overview)

2

Good for symptoms:
Sandostatin (octreotide) is a medication that decreases the release of hormones from carcinoid tumors, thereby decreasing symptoms of carcinoid (flushing, diarrhea). It may have some effects in slowing the growth of such tumors, but its main use is to treat symptoms of Carcinoid. It is effective for this is over 80% of patients with Carcinoid.
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7

Molecular targeting:
These agents are designed to selectively knock out key pathways your tumor may use to grow. Presumably you already had your tumor tested for these different mutations. Ask the doctor offering these options to explain their rationale. These are investigational studies and many of the treatment costs may be covered-ask.
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9

No:
Metformin is not known to be toxic to the kidneys. The concern may be when a patient has naturally kidney function and they take metformin. That person may then be at (rare, but still documented) risk of a condition called lactic acidosis - a potentially dangerous, body-wide build-up of lactic acid that interferes with the delivery with oxygen.
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10

2 means:
Hi. Estrogen receptor antagonists, like tamoxifen or raloxifine, or aromatase inhibitors, which prevent the endogenous synthesis of estrogen, are the two major categories. The main estrogen-driven tumors are ER + beast CA and endometrial CA. Good luck, and beat the CA!
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11

Tamoxifen:
Tamoxifen has been the standard drug that blocks estrogen receptors in patients whose tumors are considered ER+ A new type of anti-estrogen drug appears to work better than the estrogen-blocking drug tamoxifen . Exemestane (Aromasin), belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. But, for exemestane to work in premenopausal women, the drug can only be given when ovarian function is being suppressed.The Aromatase inhibitors, work by preventing other hormones from changing into estrogen, which fuels certain cancer growths
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13

Decrease symptoms:
This medication is used to treat certain bladder/urinary tract symptoms. Flavoxate is a smooth-muscle relaxant. It works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder. Flavoxate helps to reduce leaking of urine, feelings of needing to urinate right away, frequent trips to the bathroom, and bladder pain. This medication does not treat the cause of your bladder symptoms (e.g., urinary tract infections).
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14

Flomax (tamsulosin):
Flomax (tamsulosin) is a alpha-blocker and the main side-effect is 'hypotension' especially upon standing. You will become light-headed and may fail. It also may decrease or eliminate the ejaculation volume. This is not bad but concerns many patients.
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16

Nitroprusside:
Nipride is nitroprusside a vasodilator (means open up blood vessels) which is used to lower blood pressure. It is given intravenously(through the veins) and is usually used in severe hypertensive(high blood pressure) situations. It needs to be closely monitored as it can at times lower blood pressure too much.
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18

Neuroendocrine:
Chromogrannin A is a marker of a wide range of neuroendocrine tumors, including pheochromocytoma, carcinoid, others. There are false positives related to diet and meds, although 3000 seems very high (although you don't state the normal range). Your symptoms (?flushing; ?hypertensive spells) would help guide the workup. You need to see a doc who is expert in this.
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20

Yes:
It's fine to take with the blood pressure medications and the proton pump inhibitor. I would probably stop the vitamin D supplement as cod liver oil has vitamin A and D as the main vitamin sources. Vitamin D is one you can get in trouble with because it is fat soluble and can accumulate in your organs if you take too much.
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